THE X Factor’s Saara Aalto has been accused of cultural appropriation following her Geisha routine on Saturday night.

The ITV talent show has found itself in the midst of a race row once again after Saara performed the Girls Aloud hit Sound Of The Underground in a Geisha costume with a Japanese inspired set that featured a bizarre glitter cannon.

Saara, from Finland, later took to Twitter to reveal her trip to Japan inspired her performance.

She shared a picture of playing a traditional drum and wrote: "In Japan exactly 4 years ago😍 Learning to play taiko drums here🙈I've always loved Japan and studied Japanese for years.that's why yesterday💗."

In Japan exactly 4 years ago😍 Learning to play taiko drums here🙈I've always loved Japan and studied Japanese for years.that's why yesterday💗 pic.twitter.com/dRVKllsJ5b